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Watson flew out Chandigarh airport soon after the punishment was announced, desperate to get home in time for the birth.

''Overnight, things have changed and Lee wasn't going to tell me things had changed because she knew how much it meant to me to be able to play this Test match," Watson said before departing India.

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"[The baby] was due in a couple of weeks but it's looking like things have sped up a little bit.''

Watson had originally planned to miss the fourth Test in Delhi next week but flew home immediately after being stood down.

The birth of the couple's first child will open debate about whether Watson could now return to India for the final Test of the series.

Watson suggested as he left India that he would weigh up his Test future but Australian captain Michael Clarke said on Wednesday that he would like to have his deputy back as soon as possible.

"From the conversation Watto and I have had, 100% he has gone home for the birth of his first child, which is very exciting for him. I know he's really excited about that," Clarke said.

"Hopefully all goes to plan there, Lee has the baby in the next few days and Watto is back here playing the fourth Test as our vice-captain. That's the best-case scenario from my point of view and from the team's point of view. The rest is really up to Shane."